The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-31
MEMPHIS DAILY APfEAL- WEDNESDAY,. AUGUST 81. 1874
GANG OF HORSE THIEVES.
Desperate Fight Between Them and
q Posse.
They XIII tho Horse OF tho sheriff
and Escspe Into q
Forest.

Housros, TEX, August 3O.-Oa
Wednesday last four OF gang u horse
thieves which has been making raids
near hers for some time rode TO
Thompson's Switch, a small station
sevepty-eevtn miles from Houston,
mounted on Thoroughbred horoes.
They ordered dinner, after which
they got drunk, fred of their pistols
aud terrified the inhabitants Of the
settlement, when they rode of Ia a
northwesteily direction. On Sstur.
day John Williford, a farmer and
s,ockman OF Oppression, reported TO
Sheriff Ellis that he had two horses
stolen from him on Tburstsy, and
I at the thieves were sill la the
vicinity OF bis farm. Sheriff Ellis q,
once left for Nsvosota, where he or.
ganixsd posse and started after tho
outlaws, In hopOe OF heading them of.
Yesterday morning two men rode into
Houston aud notified Deputy Sheriff
Albert II ichton that the outlaws
were csmped at Enreks, Ave miles
from this city. Deputy Erickson
mounted a horse and Immediately
started for the camp Of the outlaws.
On arriving at the SPOT where the out
laws we're csmptd Erickson discovered
the gang had gone. After riding about
for some time the deputy found three
men Camped under tree on the
prairie. Ho at once telegraphed to
Houston Tor assistance A posss under
command Of Capt. Lubbock at once
lett for the scene of action. Ga ar
irving at Edfeks the posse separated,
Deputy Sheriff Erickson and part Of
the posse proceeding 10 the direction
OF smokyville, and the remainder un.
der Captain Lubbock heating for the
prairie. The latter posse soon struck
the trail and In short while located
the outlaws, who were still camped
under tbs tree. Captain Lubbock
then formed his potse In line about
fifteen feet apart, and, adv sing all to
reserve their fire until within thirty
yards Of the outlaws, began advancing
toward the camp. The outlaws seeing
this. quickly eaddled their animate
aud started cut ut q quick gallop. Ait
or riding lev minutes, the leader OF
the outlawp,who was riding a msgnih.
cent roam charger, and having In bis
ha. q waVy black plume, thew bis
Winchester on his arm, and, slig ltly
turning In bis saddle, began ehnotiog,
sending Ell OF al or shot ut the oflic r..
This other outlaws, who were armed
with six shooters, also began firing at
the posse. The posse OF Ospt Lub.
book reserved fire "a ordered until II
was evident that the outlaws would
reach the timber. The command 60
Are on the robbara was then given and
shout forty or fifty shots were *.
changed, the outlaws hating and max.
Ing o desperate fight. During the skir.
mish this horee Of Capt Lubbock was
killed. One OF the German oitEsns,
named Kassner, who lived near Hook.
ley. and accompanying the party, was
wounded IN the arm by a ride ball.
After the encounter on the prairie,
Capt. Lubbock returned TO the city,
aud another party started out la puF-
tuit. IL Ia learned that tho Gergea0t
81 the convict camp, pear Collie, on
the International road, bad pack Of
blood hounds On the trail, hut with
drew them for fear the outlaws would
kill them. From the peculiar method
that the outlaws bal Of wing low on
their horsee, aod then quickly wheel.
ing and 6rins, II In thought they we're
a part Of tho old Sam Bsss gaug, who
dCtled the State authorities II Texas
few yesrs ego. From tho la'se rolls OF
money displayed by the outlaFs. on
their visit aud drunken Spree at
Thump 'on'a Switch, " Is confidently
thought they are the eame yang which
robbed tho Southern Psc,ic trdn At
Flattonla in Jrne. A dispatch Eas
received from sheriff Elis, At Cypress,
late lest night, 6la,ing that be- was on q
hot trail ana expe5ted u beg his game
before Daylight. The robbers aie game
aud desperate, and a bloody battle is
anticipaisd ahould they be- discJyufed,